What is the new coronavirus? What are the symptoms and what does it feel like?
On March 22, and Globality CEO Issei Watanabe, who is still hospitalized for pneumonia associated with the new coronavirus had his first symptom. On April 1, he wrote symptoms and thoughts on Facebook during the fight.
This is his personal story and the situation is changing every moment, so this might not be most medically accurate and there are individual differences in symptoms and how they cope with it, but it is very valuable to share his personal experience in fighting illness. So he decided to share.
(This is written with personal consent by Mr. Watanabe)
"I want this message to be honest and direct, so I'm okay to introduce it under my real name."
"(Covid-19)If you were to pass it on, people will definitely hold a grudge against you."
A message was written on March 29th 20:21

Good evening,

I think many people want to know, so I am sharing the information with you openly.

First of all, I am hospitalized since yesterday for pneumonia associated with the new coronavirus.
I might be the first Corona infected person you would know.

This is the reason why I decided to write about myself to tell you my "real voice".

first of all, people have a misconception that you can survive through Corona or death rate is low, and you might think it is not so dangerous based on the information we have but if you pass it on, the person will hold a grudge against you for sure as it is really hard to have it.

Probably it is 30 times easier to have influenza.

For those of you who think you might have it or those who want to be tested, I would like to share the process and what you should expect.

On March 22nd (Sunday), I experienced a fever for the first time. I had a meeting from 8:30 so I moved to the Roppongi office and moved to a book store. Fifteen minutes later, I felt like I was coming down with cold, so I decided to cancel my lunch meeting.
From that day, I decided to do remote work from home.
I ate a lot, made my room very hot, wore a lot and tries to sweat it out.
However, this routine failed and I was not able to warm my body.
In the morning I do not have much fever, but after 11 am, It starts to go up and it reached around 39.5c in the evenings.

I was suspecting it might be influenza but this continued until Thursday.
The headache continued as well but I did not have a cough then.

"Maybe I should get tested."
I thought.

Because there are elderlies around me, if I pass this on, I might kill someone. Definitely, I should get tested. 

■ ”It will take more time. Would you like to wait?"

Two-hour wait. That is how long taken for testing. ”Would you like to wait?"

When I first contacted a hospital in Minato-word "You can definitely come but we cannot test you. Please contact to health center nearby. " Then I call the health center, they just introduced to me a hospital and nothing else...

As I was advised, I contacted to health center first but I noticed later that they never suspected that I have coronavirus.

I waited two hours after I reached the hospital they recommended.

”It will take more time. Would you like to wait?"

I decided to go home.
I was frustrated watching people chatting in the waiting room but started to pack up. They did not stop me, so I guess they didn't think I had it.
Then I ate mapo dofu with spices but I did not taste anything.

I felt so weird.
( I did not have stuffed nose)
I usually have a hard time sleeping when I am sick as I suffer from runny nose and stuffed nose. So, I felt very weird.

Something is very wrong.
The next day, I told every symptom I had to the health center. I sincerely explained to them I need to get tested as I had met several people in a week and I wanted to go out.
Then they told me they will find a place where I can get tested right away.
……
Twenty minutes later, I had a phone call.
"Can you come to this hospital in two hours?"
"Yes" I told them.
"There is something you need to know. The test includes a CT scan, it will be expensive as it will be about 40000yen. Will you be okay with it?"
"Yes" (editor's note: Coronavirus testing is one of the diseases that can be insured by public insurance, so this would not be a personal burden)
"If you tested positive, you may have to be hospitalized for two weeks. Would you be okay with it?"
"Of course," I thought.
"But It sure is expensive."
It might limit people who want to be tested. I thought. When I got ready to take a taxi, they told me "Please do not come by taxi."
"No way," I thought.
But then again, it makes sense.
I cannot say it was right or wrong but I was sent to the fist stage of testing.

Then I got isolated.

Somehow, I felt like a king in a transparent protective veil. Though people outside are the ones protected from me..

Anyhow, the whole experience was different from the first hospital I visited, then testing started.

Then I had some time until CT, so I decided to go home on foot even though it was tough for me to walk.

I might kill people if I use any or method even it is indirectly, I thought.

Then, I was told, "If you tested positive, you cannot go home right away so please bring your stuff with you". So I carried the minimum stuff I could carry to the hospital.

But I must warn you that isolated patient requires a lot of stuff. I will talk about it in detail more.

■"Mr. Watanabe, you are positive. I will take you to your room."
After I waited fifteen minutes, the medical care staff told me "Mr. Watanabe, you are positive. I will take you to your room."

"I knew it. Ugh it is very upsetting but then again, it is good to know"

Then I was told that everything would be free. As I knew, later on, this satisfaction I got was fleeting.
”You will get a phone call, so please take care of that later"
So there is a pitfall to the system. The treatment will be mostly covered by the subsidy, but if your income is high, you might be exempt from whole coverage.
This is really weird as it must be covered by taxpayers' money... It is very contradictory to the promise.
Then again, treatment won't cost like a few million yen, so it is sort of okay.
Other source says that you might pay fully, it comes from a friend of mine who also had Coronavirus in Tokai area.
（this might be different from region to region but as it is a designated infectious disease, it should be covered by insurance. Even if you are told that you have to cover your hospital fees, please ask to check again)

■ "You must go to cubs in Roppongi or something right?"
I was asked who I saw, where I went and where I could have possibly gotten a virus. They pretty much asked everything.

"So you are living in Minato word. That means you go to night clubs in Roppongi right?"
"No, I haven't been."

"Which clubs did you go to? We won't call them, don't worry."

I told you, I haven't been!

I didn't mention it but I went to a meeting in Kanagawa on Saturday. Out of one in five I had dinner with showed positive to the test. The other two are testing as well.
We shared edamame with our bare-hands and we shared curry, so this might be it.
It seems like it hasn't spread somewhere else, but if you are reading this and feel something is off, please get tested.

It may not kill you, but if you are worried, please get tested.

For now, symptoms seem different from person to person. But this is harder than influenza to handle for me.

I have a fever since Sunday and I still have a fever of 39 degrees today.

I now have a cough and headache.

I have nothing to do but rest but it gives you a sense of relief when you are quarantined so that I do not have to hurt anyone.

When your fever continues, it is hard to control your mood as you get depressed.
Even I have the freedom to order food from Uber Eats to the hospital or buy things from Amazon, or changing up my room for fun, as soon as the fever goes up in the afternoon, I have no strength left to do anything.

It is important to know that you may not die from it, but you effeminately don't want to get it again.

I joked around saying "Let's Corona!" but if your mentality is not strong enough, you may suffer a lot.
So, I said it aloud that those of those who came in contact for the past week with me, I will be fully responsible for your test.
I will do my best to treat my sickness, so if you read this, I hope that you do not have to be the one that hurt others without your intention.
I wish that it all goes away soon. Perhaps it is time to overhaul the economy of this entire world including the Japanese medical system and how things are done here.
Of course, there is no increase in a patient according to the official figures. We really need to do something about health centers that are closed on weekends.

Don't be deluded by appearance but try to perceive the truth!
■Even after medicated for the second time, fever remains at 39.8℃
( Published on March 29th, 7:11 pm)
Good morning.
This is my third day of hospitalization.

The routine of low temperature in the morning and temperature increase in the afternoon has been broken. My symptoms are getting worse and worse.
Even after medicated for the second time last night, my fever remains at 39.8℃.
I am shaking like a leaf and I have a headache. I have no clue what is going on with me, I just creamed "Please get it over with!!" out-loud.

It used to have a fever of 36.6℃, which was lower than my normal temperature but it started to raise to 39.1℃.

When I said I wake up, I meant figuratively as I cannot fall asleep. (I cannot even sleep properly so I am always sleepy.)
I had symptoms from last Sunday so today makes 8th day, but things are not getting any better.

Also, I started to cough so much that I could not sleep from yesterday.

I usually suffer a lot from cough when I get cold so, I guess those people would suffer a lot.
Also, I heard that smokers will suffer A LOT. Please, everyone, reconsider your behavior from now on. It must be really hard for smokers.

Well, it is not like I'm coughing all the time but when I started to cough, it does not stop. It is also a dry cough, it is not so pleasant. Here you can tell that my Body is working fully to get the virus out from my system.

On the day I got hospitalized, I was asked what I did to prevent illness to progress before hospitalization. I answered that I jogged around 5km.

"It is the worst preventative measure possible in case of pneumonia." The doctor seemed very angry.

I personally think that there are things about human bodies that cannot be explained by doctors nor lawyers even for 100 years. (So, therefore my action should be justified I guess)
■ Just sharing a meal, that is enough for a virus to spread

It was Mach 21st Saturday, a night before I started to have a fever.

I was waiting for my friend as I had a meeting. Even though we did not hug each other nor kiss each other, my friends showed positive and now he is hospitalized. We all suspect that sharing the meal was the cause of it.

Here is a very important part. So, the other three people have joined the group.
Mr. K must have been infected then. But he did not have any symptoms so we shared our meal among the four of us.
Out of two who joined later had a fever and got tested. They are waiting patiently at home.
That's all.
We all got infected just by sharing the meal on the table. This is how easy you can get affected.
Fortunately, some haven't developed symptoms yet.
If you can say that you have contacted a person who shown positive, you should prioritize your test to be done.

Perhaps we all have this high fever due to strong immunity and physical strength, or who knows? Either way, I am grateful that I was able to be hospitalized, I thought.

If you cannot respond to your fever, you may have after an aftereffect. 

■About hospitalization
Regarding hospitalization, I wanted to tell you a detail.
You have to be alone in your room all the time and you can not get out.
You may need your toiletries as there are shower and toilet in the room. You also need a few bath towels and hand towels.
Chances of doing laundry are limited and you have to coop with nothing while your towel is washed.

You will have no limitation to your food and you can get whatever you like from your visitors.
（Over the window visit was possible for my friend's hospital but it entirely depends on hospital's facilities）

I sometimes order what I need on Amazon.

【Additional info】

We only have a few cases now, so it is hard to determine but the peak of fever is around 8-9 days. After that, your fever will go down and you tested negative, then you can go home.

■ Super infectious
(Published on March 29th, 20:35)
I would like to report that my other friend who I have met on March 21st has been shown positive, while other have shown negative.

Even though we have kept some distance, there are already three people who are infected around me.

It is a little scary to think but there is a staff who are infected by a virus for the same company with a person shown negative. That staff is scheduling for a test now. This actually proves the theory that the person without symptoms could spread a virus if there is no other route of contact.

What an infectious virus!

However, this only has been confirmed among friends who I can contact. So I can call them and say "I actually tested positive, do you have any symptoms?" then they can get tested but if they weren't contacted, they will have to stay home without knowing.
This does not sound so bad, but the symptoms are so terrible that you feel like dying.
I cannot believe people call this "light" symptom.

Dysgeusia (loss of taste) and fever that lasts 8days.. This does not feel like "light". I have no idea what people think as "light".

I lost my appetite yesterday. Usually, I eat 6 times a day and I usually eat more during influenza or flu. So I am very surprised. Losing my taste perhaps demotivated me to eat more too.

Also, its 8th day of experiencing a temperature increase from the afternoon. If I have only 38.5 degrees, it feels like heaven. As soon as it goes over 40 degrees, I started to shake and get hot as I cannot stop coughing.
Imagine, this lasts 8-fucking-days.

I can only drink water with fever, headache, and cough.
It is like my daily routine, I experience temperature increase today and this described as "light".

Please remember that this is not like "light cold" you can imagine. I am fearful of how this word has been used to describe this experience.

This is the reason why even you are not infected you should not go out and pass it on to others. Disinfection is also necessary.
It also makes your life easier if you tell them that you are contacted with someone tested "positive". If you are concerned that you may have it, please use my name. (as you will be asked whom your contact was by the name) 

■Support for those who need it
If this situation continues, countries will lose power and they will lose the economy.
The country needs to not only lockdown but support those who need it. It is not a time to joke around passing coupons (nor masks).
You would think the law will protect you？ If there is an enemy right in front of you, the law won't save your life.

This is the time, we need a great leader.
(Omitted)
(Postscript)
March 30th, Monday, Day 9. It has been a long time since slept for more than five hours as my fever did not increase so much. I think I just a peak of having a fever over 40 even with an antipyretic.

The next problem is a cough. But as soon as fever and headache go down, I can control cough somehow. I can taste a little bit of pocarisweat. After a few days of this, I can have few tests and if they can confirm negative for the second time, I can finally be released.

It is tough, but it is curable.
Curable, but it is so hard.
It is up to you how you take it.

I would definitely say no to getting it again. 

■What determines the minimum quarantine period
( Published on March 30th 13:26)
【Important】A note from a patient who has been hospitalized (A personal anecdote. Not medically confirmation）

I confirmed with my doctor about the anti-body.

Coronavirus' heredodegeneration is very rare so once you have the antibody, it is less likely for you to get it again once you are completely recovered.
If your immune system got weaken then you can probably survive as it can be lighter than the first time you had it. There are reported cases of people getting it again, but the testing is not 100 percent accurate so probably that someone has shown false negative on the first test.

It takes about 2 weeks for you to develop antibodies. Hence the minimum time of your quarantine is 2 weeks. This will be endemic. In another word, as soon as you can have it, you can live at ease.

I am one of the lucky ones as I was able to get the medical support I needed. As of today's strategy, this will be another disease like influenza-like disease you will see everyday basis. I believe that many lives will be lost in the process.
Meanwhile, I am receiving a piece of information that my friend is also tested positive.
I know someone who is in a fetal condition. If you and your company can, I think we all need to be patient for now.
If we let it continue, we will have a recession for a longer time.
Many countries are doing best to wipe this virus off the surface of the earth, I am worried that it takes a longer time for everyone to develop antibodies as the Japanese government is pushing for more consumption by giving us tickets and so on. As we naturally will use coupons we receive them. I have no idea what they are willing to do, but I have no faith.

■ Coughing hard and experiencing diarrhea
【Progres report】

I feel that my peak for fever has passed after the 9th day.
Generally speaking, many people may experience the same.
But this does not mean that you have no fever after the peak, your fever will slowly go down.
Right now, I am fighting with this cough. Once it starts, I cannot stop it.
I have no appetite.

I have to say this is the worst kind of diet as you are limiting your calories by having no appetite and abs training by coughing.
（As I often suffer from coughs, I think it is my symptom only)
（Also, I forgot to mention but I have been experiencing diharrea with stomach pain）

If my temperature drops, I think I can get tested in a week or so. If I show negative after the second test, I can be released.
I just hope this to be a happy ending, so I will do my best to rest well.

■ "A final note"
(Published as of April 1st morning)
Good morning! It is day 11 since my first symptom and I have been hospitalized for 6 days. I received so many messages saying that you would be worried if I don't post anything. So here I am. Thank you for worrying about me.
My temperature is at 37.6 and feels very low.
Even last night I had 37.6 degrees at max. It feels very low but now I have a cough that I have to deal with. Yet I am glad to say I got over the day that I had to fight with fever. Also, I have an appetite back. My oxygen concentration level went down by 1% but it is mostly because of damage in my lungs. I am waiting for the result of the blood test I took yesterday. If everything does well, I can leave the hospital by next week.
I know that many people are keeping business as usual as they have to work to survive. But I cannot believe that the government does not take action at all.

Wise people learn from history. There are many cases we can learn from. What are they exactly seeing? Do they know how much of a risk they face if they decided to close their business? As a government, you should prioritize people first by thinking about what is best for them.

Those who say something hurtful to others, please rethink your word before saying it as there are many people suffer from the consequences.
I know that some businesses are open because they have no choice but to run their businesses.

When the time comes, leaders of the country should take initiative. Isn't it about a time we do something about it? I believe many people from different sectors are raising their voices. Can't we just lock down ourselves by the power of civil society?
The payment we should concern about is rent, electricity and labor costs (partially unit cost) after stopping our businesses.

To all real estate industries, real estate associations, and housing associations, to all people who work in wholesale or restaurants, let's think about what we can do to support employees after we cur labor costs.
Perhaps it is about time for us to take action.

What can go smoothly by compensating each other?

Why don't we write down our strategies including benefit we can get our of this after our performance reaches a V-shaped recovery?
I think it's about time that we move forward. We need some sort of index by ourselves. We cannot avoid unexpected disasters but perhaps we can fight against it with manpower. Only if we make our economic circle smaller and cooperate, then maybe we can overcome this together. In reality, it is hard to stop working without having any guarantees. Just asking for "Favor" from a citizen is no longer good enough.
Imagine if you go home without knowing you are infected and lose your parents and you have to let them go without being able to hold them a proper funeral. Do you think it is okay to make this kind of thing from happening?
What would you do if that happens to you?

As we talk, somebody is dying somewhere else.
Infection spreads and the virus will survive.
The Mayor of the metropolitan government only mentioned karaoke shops, live houses, bars, and clubs but nowhere else.
Even though there are many other places such as slot machine places or subways that need to be considered.

I cannot see the end to this unless we make our association against the coronavirus. It is no longer about who gets infected or not. It should be considered as "enemy of mankind".

（If Japanese government is so inactive, we should ask for help somewhere else）

If the weather continues to as it is, perhaps staying home might be an easier option. Everyone, please be careful not to infect yourself or others unknowingly.
★★If you have general concerns or want to know more about support about Coronavirus, please see below.
(City of Tokyo)

■ General consultation on Corona Virus

0570-550571 (operation hours 9:00-21:00 including sat/sun/public holidays)

Line account @covid19-tokyo is also available

■If you suspect an infection
Nearby Health Center (Hokenjyo)
Operation hours: 17:00-9:00 (weekdays) All time (weekends/holidays)

Contact Himawari at 03-5285-8181 (available 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, including holidays).

■Osaka 

Contact the Osaka International House Foundation at 06-6773-6533 (available 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays).

■Nagoya

Contact the Aichi Multilingual Call Center (available 24 hours every day, including holidays).

■ Official site
Tokyo welfare Center for Coronavirus Infection www.fukushihoken.metro.tokyo.lg.jp
■Nation wide
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
・0120-565653
(Operation hours) 9:00-21:00 (including weekends/holidays)
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000164708_00001.html#kokumin (JP)
■ Support in Foreign languages
Ministry of Tourism
050-3816-2787
Operation hours: 24hours (including weekends/holidays)
Languages: English, Chinese, Korean
http://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/news08_000311.html

My sincere condolences to those who suffered from this disease, and Thank you for all medical care professionals who are on the front line.